DAC Advice

[Name]

Hello each, I'm hoping you fine folk can give me some guidance.

I currently have a Micromega Duo BS2 DAC. It is working off of a Cyrus CD Transport and to these ears, it is doing a pretty good job.

However... It's all but coming up to vintage status now and I'm pretty sure that in the years since this bad boy was built, technology
must have moved on, I feel I'm probably missing something. There is quite a fan club out there for these units and I rarely have found
a bad word against them. I think they were quite high end when they first came out and some people out there seem to think that a
similar upgraded level would cost more than my bank manager is likely to countenance these days. Is that the case?

I'm never sure if that's how it works. Law of diminishing returns and all that.

I considered the Roksan Kandy 3 DAC, which is going for about 400 quid for some reason, even though it's a £1200 machine. But it's
built like Sizewell B and I just don't have the room. Also like the look of the Audiolab M Dac + and the Rega DAC R. But I guess my
question is, will I notice any fundamental difference for my hard earn't?

All advice/opinion gratefully received.

M

[CageyH]

If you are happy with the sound, why change it?

If you are inquisitive, find a friendly dealer to see if they will do a home loan?
Some manufacturers also do a 30 day money back trial period so you can try a different DAC in your system.

[jandl100]

After owning many DACs over the years up to several £k rrp I have now settled on a Topping D30. It costs £90 from Amazon. It's the best DAC I have owned - the only DAC I've heard in my system that might better it was a $5k Lampizator Level 4.
The levels of clarity and resolution on offer from the Topping are astonishing - but it might seem a bit too 'clean' after the vintage BS2.

I also added a £50 Chinese linear PSU to the D30 to help it along a bit further.

[StanleyB]

The Caiman SEG with Dorado has moved things to the next level as far as sound quality is concerned. I doubt that any of the other DACs suggested come anywhere close to it, let alone surpass it.

[struth]

Never tried a seg so cant comment on it, far less with the dorado(which on face of it sounds like a genius idea),...
but I do love my XS dac/pre. it gives me 2 outputs , 2 analogue inputs and 3 digi inputs, plus a decent headphone amp. but i think there are different makers/versions and quality control..

Some day I will maybe get a listen to a seg.... I liked my old Beresford dac, and my berseford switch box. Think I had a pre as well but name escapes me.
You can do a lot worse than Stan's stuff and service is second to none.

[Name]

If you are happy with the sound, why change it?

If you are inquisitive, find a friendly dealer to see if they will do a home loan?
Some manufacturers also do a 30 day money back trial period so you can try a different DAC in your system.

Well I think my thought process is that, yes I like what I have, but I'd like better or at least explore the possibilities.
I can't believe that technology hasn't improved in the last 20 odd years so thought I'd give it a go.

I could of course go to my local Hifi dealer and listen to something, but they don't have my components or my room or
my furniture, so I think that would be futile. I may ask of they will let me take one at home or as you say, the 30 day return
policy thing. My local dealer (Near Ipswich) is a tad out of my league generally. I was drooling over a £23k set of speakers
last week, which he sells with an amp that costs £121k. Maybe I'll trot down t Audio T.

[Name]

After owning many DACs over the years up to several £k rrp I have now settled on a Topping D30. It costs £90 from Amazon. It's the best DAC I have owned - the only DAC I've heard in my system that might better it was a $5k Lampizator Level 4.
The levels of clarity and resolution on offer from the Topping are astonishing - but it might seem a bit too 'clean' after the vintage BS2.

I also added a £50 Chinese linear PSU to the D30 to help it along a bit further.

I don't know of Topping sir, but your glowing review will cause me to do some research toot sweet. Certainly at that price. Thank you.

[Bigman80]

The Caiman SEG with Dorado has moved things to the next level as far as sound quality is concerned. I doubt that any of the other DACs suggested come anywhere close to it, let alone surpass it.

Fighting talk Stan. I like that.

[Name]

The Caiman SEG with Dorado has moved things to the next level as far as sound quality is concerned. I doubt that any of the other DACs suggested come anywhere close to it, let alone surpass it.

I've just looked on the website sir. Can such quality be achieved at such a price? It seems too good to be true! I shall explore further. Thank you.

[jandl100]

Fair do's - the Beresford SEG is an excellent DAC and would be on my list if I were in Michael's shoes. I've not heard the latest upgrades and that may well change things beyond my own experience.
All the DACs sound different anyway - try a few at home on trial and see what if any ticks your personal boxes.